Authorities have released the name of the victim in a Thanksgiving Day shooting near Edinburgh.

49-year-old Wayne E. McGeorge, Jr. died in the after the shooting incident on North Bluff Road Thursday according to Bartholomew County Coroner Clayton Nolting. Nolting said an autopsy was being scheduled.

20-year-old Damion Bryant of Edinburgh is being accused of murder in the incident.

Authorities are investigating three separate Thanksgiving Day shootings in Bartholomew County. In addition to the Edinburgh case, 74-year-old Jerry L. Lucas of Columbus is facing a charge of criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon after a SWAT team standoff in the 6500 block of West State Road 46. He is accused of shooting at a neighbor and then barricading himself in his home.

Columbus police are also investigating a road-rage related shooting incident on Indianapolis Road. According to police reports, a driver was involved in an accident with another vehicle at about 4:40 p.m. Thursday near Brian Drive, but when he pulled over to check for damages, the driver of the other vehicle opened fire, hitting the victim’s vehicle several times and grazing the victim with a shot. The victim was not seriously injured.

Police say that the shooter is a black man, 20 to 25 years old with shoulder length dreadlocks. He was driving a newer SUV, possibly a red GMC Terrain.

If you have any information, you can call the Columbus Police Department at 812-376-2600. Tips and information can be submitted anonymously.

Four IUPUC students are organizing a Doggone 5K Fun Run or Walk on Saturday to benefit the Friends of Columbus Animal Care Services.

You can bring your dog to the event, or borrow a dog from Columbus Animal Care Services. There will also be a limited number of shelter dogs available as walking buddies. If you bring your dog, make sure they will be well behaved and are up to date on their shots. No retractable leashes may be used during the run/walk. You can also meet shelter dogs during the event, they will be wearing “Adopt Me” vests. Adoption applications will be available at the event.

On site registration starts at 8 a.m. at the Columbus Learning Center and the run starts at 9 a.m.

Registration is $30 and includes a long-sleeved shirt. You can register early online or at the shelter to guarantee your shirt. Shirts will be first come first served if not pre-ordered. On Saturday you can also donate animal care supplies such as food, bleach, blankets or toys.

The event is being organized by Alexis Snider, Katie Taylor, Lexi York, and Nolan Lee.

You can register here.

The town of Millhousen will be holding its Christmas Wonderland celebration on Saturday.

Money raised during the activities is used to help struggling families by purchasing Christmas gifts to be delivered on Christmas morning.

The Millhousen Knights of St. John will be holding a craft show from 10 to 5 on Saturday. Stone’s Restaurant will have several activities including a kid friendly buffet from noon to 8 p.m., hay rides with the Grinch and a visit from Santa from 4 to 7 p.m. and music on the front porch from 4 to 8 p.m.

You can find more details at  stonesfamilyrestaurant.com. If you want to take part in the craft fair you can call 317-418-1486.

A Hauser High School senior is dead, shot in the chest on Saturday evening.

According to reports from the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, 18-year-old Jesse W. Bragg of Hope died at the scene of home on Elm Street in Hope.

Deputies were called to the scene at about 9:52 p.m. Saturday on a report of a person who had suffered a gunshot wound. Medical aid was rendered, but Bragg was pronounced dead.

Detectives from the sheriff’s department and Columbus Police worked on a homicide investigation, leading to the arrest of 18-year-old Joseph T. Kidwell of Fowler on a felony charge of reckless homicide.

The investigation is ongoing.

Flat Rock-Hawcreek Schools superintendent Shawn Price released a statement saying that the school was responding to the sudden and tragic loss of Bragg, a senior at Hauser. Price said counselors and grief support staff will be on site at the school on Monday for students and staff. A community grief and support site will be available at Hope Moravian Church at 202 Main Street from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday.

The Town of Hope lowered flags to half-staff, citing grief over the loss of Jesse, the son of Jerry Bragg, a Hope Town Councilman.

Photo courtesy Town of Hope.

Authorities say there were three separate shooting incidents in Bartholomew County on Thanksgiving Day including an Edinburgh incident where a male was killed and a suspect is being accused of murder.

According to reports from the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, deputies were called to the 15000 block of North Bluff Road near Edinburgh at about 6:13 p.m. Thursday evening and found a male suffering from a gunshot wound to the abdomen. German Township firefighters and Columbus Regional Health medics provided medical aid, but the victim was pronounced dead at the hospital.

20-year-old Damion Bryant of Edinburgh was identified as a suspect and after being interviewed by detectives, was arrested on a preliminary charge of murder.

Sheriff’s department spokesman Dane Duke said the investigation is ongoing and no further information is available.

Columbus police were called to the 6500 block of West State Road 46 at about 7:15 p.m. Thursday evening after a report of shots being fired. According to police reports, 74-year-old Jerry L. Lucas of Columbus fired a gun at a neighbor. The victim is believed to have been hit by shrapnel but was not seriously hurt.

Lucas then barricaded himself inside his home and refused to leave. The Columbus and Bartholomew County SWAT team was called to the scene along with crisis negotiators. Lucas was finally taken into custody at about 10:50 p.m.

He is facing a preliminary charge of criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon.

Columbus police are also investigating a road-rage related shooting incident on Indianapolis Road earlier in the day.

According to report, a driver was involved in a side-swiping incident with another vehicle at about 4:40 p.m. Thursday near Brian Drive , but when he pulled over to check for damages, the driver of the other vehicle opened fire, hitting the victim’s vehicle several times and grazing the victim with a shot. The victim was not seriously injured.

Police say that the shooter is a black man, 20 to 25 years old with shoulder length dreadlocks. He was driving a newer SUV, possibly a red GMC Terrain.

If you have any information, you can call the Columbus Police Department at 812-376-2600. Tips and information can be submitted anonymously.

Local and state police departments are going to be cracking down on those driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and encouraging seat belt use, with a “Safe Family Travel” campaign going on through New Years weekend.

North Vernon Police and Madison police departments along with Indiana State Police and other agencies are taking part in the campaign which will include overtime patrols targeting those driving under the influence.

The extra high-visibility enforcement is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration through grants administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute.

Data from the administration shows that drunk driving and fatal crashes spike during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. This year’s holiday also comes at a time when fatal crashes and dangerous driving are up across the state and nation.

In Indiana, 932 people lost their lives on the road last year, a 4% increase from 2020. Of those fatalities, 12 occurred during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, with more than half found unbuckled at the time of the crash. On average, approximately one-fourth of the state’s traffic fatalities are caused by drunk drivers

With officers showing zero tolerance throughout the campaign, police recommend celebrating responsibly by having a safety plan in place. Never drive impaired or let friends get behind the wheel if they’ve been drinking.

INDOT says you will see lane restrictions at the Interstate 65 and State Road 46 interchange in Columbus, starting as soon as Monday.

Crews will be constructing temporary support structures under the bridge over State Road 46 to provide additional support prior to installing supplemental cable suspension systems to the bridge. Overweight truck restrictions on this portion of I-65 will remain in effect.

Overnight lane closures are expected to begin as early as Monday and later in the week, motorists can expect daytime lane and ramp restrictions between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. All ramps will remain open, but restricted at times.

Installation of the supplemental suspension system is expected to be completed in early 2023. The work schedule is dependent on the weather.

INDOT asks you to slow down, to use extra caution and to be alert to worker safety in construction zones.

The Salvation Army says that any donations you make to its red kettle campaign in southeastern Indiana today or Saturday will be matched by Bender Lumber Co.

This is the third year that Bender, based in Bloomington, has provided the dollar-for-dollar match up to $20,000. More than 50 red kettles in Columbus, Bloomington and other nearby communities in the company’s eight-county region will have signs announcing the donation match Friday and Saturday.

Each county has its own match amount to help secure extra funds during this critical fundraising period for The Salvation Army.

Ben Watters, President of Bender Lumber says that “in these inflationary times, giving to the Red Kettle on a match day leverages your gifts to go even farther to be a blessing to others.”

November 19th was the first day for bell ringing at Walmart and Sam’s Club stores, while Red Kettles will make their first appearances at Kroger stores today. Walmart is also helping out by offering online shoppers on Walmart.com the opportunity to round up their orders to the nearest dollar and donate the extra amount to The Salvation Army.

Shoppers looking for a Red Kettle during the match period will also be able to find bell ringers at Hobby Lobby, Big Lots, Circle K, Save-A-Lot, and many other retail locations.

Every donation given to The Salvation Army through the annual Red Kettle Campaign stays here in Indiana. For more information you can visit SalvationArmyIndiana.org.

Four people have been arrested in Seymour, accused in a wave of thefts from liquor stores.

According to Seymour Police Department reports, police began receiving reports of the thefts starting at 7:55 pm. Tuesday evening from Northside Liquors and again, shortly after 8 p.m. at Vicks Liquors. Police say that they realized the thefts were being made by the same suspects, and began looking for the vehicle, a silver car without registration.

Police found the vehicle in the parking lot of Busy Bees Liquors. While talking with the suspects, police received another call of items stolen from a nearby pharmacy.

Inside the vehicle, police found 55 bottles of alcohol, worth more than $3,300. After being processed, they were returned to their stores.

Police arrested

• Dea Anderson, 21, of Indianapolis.
• Donnicia Barnett,  23, of Indianapolis.
• Daisha Sargent,  21, of Indianapolis.
• Porcsha Germany,  28, of Indianapolis.

Photo courtesy of Seymour Police Department.

A Columbus man is under arrest, accused of soliciting a child in Jennings County.

According to reports from the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department, deputies received information Wednesday that 52-year-old John Johnson had been having inappropriate communications with a 14-year-old boy in Jennings County. Johnson allegedly made arrangements to meet the boy for a sexual relationship, but when he arrived at the meeting spot, he was met by deputies and officers from the North Vernon Police Department.

He was taken into custody on preliminary charges of child solicitation and disseminating harmful material to a minor.

Johnson is a drama teacher at Columbus North High School.